President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has said the country should try and bring the Olympic Games to the continent as part of the legacy of hosting this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

With football’s biggest tournament now coming to a close, talk has turned to whether South Africa could realistically host the Olympic Games as well.

Durban and Cape Town have both been linked with bids to host the 2020 Games, and Zuma has said: “This (the World Cup) has proved to the world that we are capable of hosting any international event, we have the resources and infrastructure.

“People are already talking about the possibility of bidding for major events and we are supporting this. The Olympics are an example, I don’t see why we can’t bid to host the Olympics in the future. It’s important for Africa.”

Zuma also hit back at the criticism the country received over the hosting of this summer’s World Cup. He said: “I think it was very important for us to succeed. But you must remember that, as South Africans, we pride ourselves on the fact that we always rise up to any challenge.

“As a matter of fact, nobody believed that we would have a smooth transition from apartheid and we did it. As you know, a FIFA World Cup has never been hosted in Africa. When South Africa first declared its intentions to host the World Cup, some people said, ‘what is this country from Africa thinking?’ Yes, we lost the first time, but we knew that we would do it next time.

“This is what defines us as a country – our attitude and the belief that nothing is impossible.”

The UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA), viagra order the country’s leading authority on the business of golf facility operation, ed pills has announced the appointment of James Cameron to the newly created role of full-time General Manager.

Due to start in the new full-time position on February 18th, James has been the General Manager of Duff House Royal Golf Club in Scotland for the past three years, prior to which he has a background in senior management positions in sports marketing and media in both his native Scotland and the USA.

Commenting on his appointment, James Cameron said: “It is testament to the work of the UKGCOA that it has shown growth during a challenging time for the golf industry. I am excited to be taking the helm and look forward to meeting and working alongside members and corporate partners.”

Jerry Kilby, UKGCOA Executive Director, said: “The UKGCOA’s rapid growth has led to the necessity for full-time management and James has the experience and expertise to bring considerable value to the organisation.”

Having been involved with the UKGCOA since its establishment in October 2010, Jerry, who has fulfilled the part-time role in conjunction with his commitments as Chief Executive Officer of the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE), has decided to step down as UKGCOA Executive Director, allowing him to concentrate solely on his CMAE responsibilities.

Jerry added: “I have been privileged to be involved with the set-up and launch of the UKGCOA and I’m proud of what the organisation has achieved in that time and how quickly it has grown.

“I’d like to thank all UKGCOA members, the board and UKGCOA sponsors for the support I have received in this role and offer my best wishes to the new management team of James and Andy in their new positions.”

North Weald Golf Club owner and UKGCOA board member Andy Lloyd-Skinner has been appointed as the new Vice-Chairman of the UKGCOA and will offer part-time support to the new General Manager.

James will also have the support of Association Manager Debbie Goddard and Membership Administrator Paul Taylor and their colleagues from the Federation of Sports and Play Association at their offices at StoneleighPark, Warwickshire.

Colin Mayes, Chief Executive Officer of Burhill Group Limited (BGL), and the UKGCOA’s Chairman, said: “On behalf of all the members I’d like to extend a warm welcome to both James and Andy. We look forward to what we hope will be a long and successful future with the UKGCOA.

“I’d also like to thank Jerry for all his hard work getting the organisation to the position that it currently occupies in this country’s golf industry.”

Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled plans to build a cable car across the River Thames linking the O2 Arena with the Excel Centre, which are both Olympic and Paralympic venues for the 2012 Games.

The £25 million (US$37 million) scheme could provide a crossing every 30 seconds, and carry up to 2,500 passengers an hour in each direction, cutting travel times dramatically between the two venues.

The London Mayor, Boris Johnson, said: “A cable car spanning the majestic Thames would not only provide a unique and pioneering addition to London’s skyline but also offer a serene and joyful journey across the river.

“Passengers would be able to drink in the truly spectacular views of the Olympic Park and iconic London landmarks whilst shaving valuable minutes from their travelling time.”

London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: “A privately funded cable car system offers a relatively quick and cost effective way of improving connections across the river for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Barcelona, Cologne, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Madrid and New York already have urban cable cars, but this would be a first for Britain.

Providing funding and planning permission are secured, the cars should be in place in time for the 2012 Games.

V8 Supercars have announced today a major six-year, $241 million media deal with Foxtel, Fox Sports and Ten Network for all media rights including digital from 2015 to 2020, consisting of $196 million cash and $45 million of advertising.

It is the biggest deal ever inked for the organisation and represents a significant increase on all previous deals.

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said: “This is a tremendous and significant deal for our sport. It is a great boost to our amazing race teams and fans and will lead to unprecedented coverage on multiple platforms for our sport, never before seen on such a scale.

“I thank Richard Freudenstein, CEO and Managing Director of Foxtel; Patrick Delany, CEO of Fox Sports; and Hamish McLennan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ten Network Holdings, for their plans and commitment to grow this sport to unprecedented levels.

“I would also like to thank Seven and their commitment to the sport since 2007 and of course their continued support for 2014, the final year of our partnership,” Mr Warburton said.

Foxtel CEO and Managing Director, Richard Freudenstein, said: “Foxtel is delighted to partner with V8 Supercars, Australia’s pre-eminent motorsport series. This relationship will significantly strengthen our sports offering and give yet another reason to subscribe to Foxtel.

“Hundreds of thousands of Australians love motorsports and I know that dedicated fans will be delighted that Foxtel and Fox Sports will be able to deliver a breadth and depth of coverage of the V8 Supercars Series that they’ve never seen before.

“Not only will the series be available in amazing High Definition on the Foxtel cable and satellite service, fans will also be able to enjoy all the action on the move with Foxtel Go or with the convenience of Foxtel Play.”

Fox Sports CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “V8 Supercars have a proud history of innovation. We relish the opportunity to work with talented V8 Supercars race teams and the team at V8 Supercars TV to give the sport the FOX SPORTS treatment – every minute of practice, qualifying, support categories and the Championship races – all LIVE and in stunning HD.

“We will be there for the fans and we will make no compromises in delivering them the finest coverage. We will focus on innovating coverage to take fans closer to the action, the heroes, the stars and the insights. There will be weekly entertainment shows to complement the LIVE race coverage and a massive promotional platform via not only our seven Fox Sports channels but the entire Foxtel platform,” he said.

Ten Network Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Hamish McLennan, said: “We are delighted to welcome V8 Supercars back home to Ten in 2015.

“V8 Supercars is an iconic Australian sport, reaching into every part of the country, and James Warburton and his team have big plans to make it even stronger and better.

“Ten is now truly the home of motorsport. Formula One, MotoGP and V8 Supercars will make a powerful, exciting combination for all our viewers and advertisers. Today’s announcement is in line with our strategy of investing in premium live sport and adding more Event TV to Ten.

“I’m personally looking forward to seeing the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and other great V8 Supercars events on Ten,” he said.

The 2014 V8 Supercars season kicks off with the sydney.com pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park (Feb 15) followed by the Clipsal 500 Adelaide from Feb 27-March 2.

Essex County Cricket Club have announced Derek Bowden will become their new chief executive, taking up the role early in the 2013 season.

He will succeed David East, who ended 12 years in the post at the end of last year to take the same role at Abu Dhabi Cricket Club and the Emirates Cricket Board.

Bowden has experience in the sporting world, as chief executive of Ipswich Town, and in the business world, having spent over 18 years in various senior management roles at Saatchi & Saatchi.

He told www.essexcricket.org.uk: “I’m really looking forward to joining the team at Essex and working with them to create the success that Essex Cricket deserves.”

Essex chairman Nigel Hilliard said: “Derek has a wealth of experience in the commercial and sporting world, which will be of great benefit to the club at a time when we are embarking on a major redevelopment of The Essex County Ground.

“Once completed the stadium will be a fitting centrepiece to the new City of Chelmsford.”

The executive producer of the Delhi Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, Ric Birch does not believe India should be allowed to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games. Birch claims that his company, Spectak Productions, is owed 15 per cent of its fees concerning the opening ceremony which the organisers have allegedly refused to pay.

Mr Birch believes that the organising committee still owe millions of dollars to foreign firms involved in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Spectak is just one of a number of companies still awaiting payments for the services they provided.

“Every single detail, every single word – its meaning, definition, its possible connotation – of every document and contract is being minutely examined, checked, double-checked and triple-checked to ensure that no one can be accused of a transgression,” said Birch. 

“People are scared that if they clear a bill, say, of an Australian contractor, they will be accused by the media of ‘siphoning’ money off to an Australian.

“The media have made such crazy and wild allegations that no one wants to take any chances.”

Birch believes that the longer the payments take to be made the less chance that India will have in their proposed bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games. The situation is also not helped by the severe criticism that the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games came under prior to its opening.

International law firm Norton Rose has become the exclusive legal advice partner of Munich’s bid committee to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, it has been announced.

The firm will provide support to the German city’s bid to host the Games during the candidate city phase, where it faces competition from Annecy, France and PyeongChang, South Korea.

Munich 2018 CEO, Willy Bogner, said: “Norton Rose’s support comes at exactly the right time to boost our preparation of the bid book. We need a large number of contracts and guarantees with local authorities, so we will make full use of their extensive legal expertise.

“This partnership will enable us to continue uniting every level of German society, from individuals to governments, from local businesses to international corporations, in passionate support of Munich’s bid to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“With Norton Rose we have won a partner with a highly influential international network. During the candidate city stage, these international contacts will be an invaluable asset in helping us tell our story all over the world.”

Dr Alexander Von Bergwelt, managing partner of Norton Rose in Germany, added: “Norton Rose is a sports-minded law firm. Naturally, we support Munich’s application to host the Winter Games in 2018. We have local roots and a global presence, with our network of 30 offices all over the world and our lawyers cover all relevant areas of legal expertise.

“This allows us to provide optimal support to the bid committee, particularly drafting the bid book, which will form an important basis for selecting the 2018 host city.”